This week we had several challenges involving Hot Wheels cars and Lego. From measurement to construction principals to aerodynamics and everything in between. So much problem solving. So much fun.
Inquiry
Releasing the Butterflies
After watching the caterpillars grow and make their cocoons, we waited what seemed liked a very long time and finally all of the butterflies emerged. When the time came to let them go, all of the students read aloud a letter they had written to the butterflies.
Most of the butterflies were very cooperative and stayed around long enough for everyone to have at least one turn to hold them. I got pictures of as many of these wonderful moments as I could!
The Pheasants Hatched!
For twenty three days we waited patiently while the pheasants grew inside their eggs in the incubator in our classroom. Waiting was not easy!
This week, they finally began to hatch. Several of the eggs hatched as the students watched–an incredible learning experience.
The chicks have been given to the Wildlife Federation who will raise them until they are able to look after themselves. Then, they will release them into the wild.
Caterpillars!
Two weeks ago some caterpillars arrived in our classroom. These eating machines are noticeably bigger every day. We can’t wait until they make a chrysalis. Exciting times!
Mapping the Classroom
There were cheers when we got to use this really BIG paper to help us make maps of our classroom.
Making Butter
As part of our study about how people lived in the past, we made our own butter out of cream. We shook the cream…
…and shook it a lot more…
…until it finally became butter. Yum!
All About Moose Jaw
Our class is part of the pilot project for a wonderful initiative called A Kid’s Guide to Canada. It’s about kids digitally telling the story of where they live for Canada’s 150th birthday next year. The students chose the important things in our community themselves, took many of the pictures, dictated the text and recorded their thoughts and opinions. It’s so interesting to see what six year olds think are the important parts of their lives.
This project will be open for all Canadian classes beginning in January.
Stools That Tilt
Some intriguing boxes from Trade West showed up in our classroom.
We opened them to discover four motion stools. The bottom of the stools is slightly convex so that the stool wobbles deliciously as you sit on it. Perfect for little bodies who need to move!
The lure of the boxes was too great to resist and the children had a lot of fun cooperating to make some intriguing creations. Thanks, Trade West for these wonderful stools!
Orange Day
In recognition of the wrongs of the residential schools, our school participated in Orange Shirt Day. The colour orange was chosen because of one child’s experiences. All of the students wore an orange ribbon and got to watch a tipi raising and some First Nations drummers and dancers.
Ladybugs
With all of the jars and bags of ladybugs that have been coming to school, we decided we needed to make a ladybug terrarium. This project was planned and created by the students. They gathered dirt, grass, leaves, sticks and of course lots of ladybugs. The terrarium is now in our classroom, providing lots of entertainment and hands on learning. Just ask your child what he/she has learned about ladybugs.
